Spring in Wisconsin

When we challenged readers to create a piece of jewelry inspired by the places they call home, we were delighted by the response. Sarah Savage of Verona, Wis., sent one of our favorites.

When Sarah decided to create a prairie-inspired piece for our challenge, she laid out all her beads on the dining room table looking for the right color combination. Ultimately, she opted for a monochromatic green theme.

Her necklace is a celebration of the grassy fields and prairies in southern Wisconsin. “I’m always amazed at how quickly the green grass appears in May,” she says. We know exactly how she feels.

SUPPLIES

Necklace 14–19 in. (36–48 cm)

3 16-in. (41 cm) strands 4 mm peridot chips

3 6 mm crystal-accent rondelles

15 4 mm potato pearls*

4 g 11/0 seed beads*

6 3 mm round spacers

flexible beading wire, .014 or .015

6 in. (15 cm) 22-gauge half-hard wire

2 3–4 mm jump rings

2 18 mm cones*

10 crimp beads

toggle clasp

chainnose and roundnose pliers

diagonal wire cutters

crimping pliers (optional)

*These items should cost less than $1. Check your local bead store for supplies.

5. Place the strand from step 3 above the strand from step 4. On each side, over both strands, string 6 1⁄2 in. (16.5 cm) of 11/0s.

6. On each side, attach a cone and half of a clasp (See finishing technique below).

FINISHING TECHNIQUE

Step 1

Cut a 3-in. (7.6 cm) piece of 22-gauge wire. Make a wrapped loop on one end. On one end of each beaded strand, string a crimp bead and the wrapped loop. Check the fit, and add or remove beads if necessary. Go back through the beads just strung and tighten the wires. Crimp the crimp beads and trim the excess wire.

Step 2

String a cone and make a wrapped loop.

Step 3

a. Open a jump ring. Attach half of a clasp and the wrapped loop. Close the jump ring.

b. Repeat steps 1 to 3a on the other ends of the beaded strands.

Tip!

I used two crimp beads on the double strands for extra security. Since the crimps had to accommodate four passes of wire, I used a larger size.